Die mechanism for shaping gun-sight and other articles.



D. GRANT.

DIE MECHANISM FOR SHAPING GUN SIGHTS AND OTHER ARTICLES. APPLICATION FILED was, 1914.

1 ,273,7.69. Patqnted July 23, 1918.

Z SHEETSSHEET 1. F291 Ti 2/ D. GRANT.' DIE MECHANISM FOR SHAPINQGUN SIGHTS AND OTHER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. I914.

Patented JuIy 23, 1918..

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3mm qgnznt UNITED STATES PA rEN'r OFFICE. Q

DAVID GRANT, or MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUT, AssIGivoR TO THE LYMAN GUN SIGHT CORPORATION, or MIDDLE IE D', CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or CONNECTICUT. 7

DIE MECHANISM FOR SHAPING GUN-SIGHTS AND OTHER ARTICLES.

Applicationfiled August 6, 1914. Serial No. 855,437.' I V To all whom it may'concern Be it known that I, DAVID GRANT, of Middlefield, in the county of Middlesex, and, in the State of Connecticut have invented a certain new anduseful.Improvement in Die Mechanism for Shaping Gun-Sights and other Articles,'and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The muzzle or front'sights of fire arms which comprise a bead and a dovetail base by which the sight is attached to the gun barrel, as heretofore made was produced by accuracy for fitting or adaptation of the sight to the transverse retaining groove in' any gun barrel. Itis for this reason, and because of the accuracy with which 'milling: may be done, and because of CGI'tZLlIlPIiLCtlcal difficulties in the way of die-pressing, or

stamping outsuch an article, that there has been no departure from the milling method. The value and importance of my invention compared with the oldmilling method of manufacturing these gun sights will be seen when it is stated that a workman making these sights in accordance with my 1nvention in two hours and thirty-five minutes can turn out as many sights as can bemade in, eighteen days by the'millingmethod. Not

only is there this great advantage in rapidity and economy of manufacture, but thesight itself is better by reason of the condensation or solidifying of'the metal due to the dieing operation, and because of the uniformity of the product to a degree not possible with milling.

duction of gun sights it will be evident that inerelyby varying the configuration of the dies it is applicable in some of its features other articles by the use of dies, substantiallyas hereinafter specified and claimed.

" In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is an elevation of a die and work holder'for carrying out my'invention showing sections of the die-bedand' punch;

' Fig. 2 is'a similarfigure in central crosssection as taken on the line 22 of Figs. 3

' 3 is an elevationofFig; 1 taken at right anglesthereto, whereby if either of the views be considered the front'the other will comprise a side elevation; w e

4 is a central horizontal cross'section through Figs. 1 and 2; Fig.- 5 is a View corresponding to Fig. 3 of the die-and work holder in the open position for the reception of the work;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal central cross section.

through F ig ..5;

'Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a blank adapted for the formation of a gun 'sight by means of my invention.

Fig. '8 is a perspective View of a completed sight formed from sucha blank;

Fig. 9 is a; view of the 'mu'zzle'end of a gunbarrel. and side View of a gun sight mounte'd thereon.

g- 10 is a detail View of the dies for forming the sight ridge;

Referring to the drawings, in 'Figs.' 8 and 9 particularly, is shownajfront sight lO for Specification of LettersPatent. P t te 3, 71918.

fire-arms, ofthe type which is held in place" on the barrel-by means of a dovetaileditenon or base 11,011 the lower side of the part,-in serted tightly in a correspondingly shaped groove 12, in the upper surface of the muzzle end of the 'barrel 'of the fire-arm 100.

The sight proper comprisesa ridge or eight bead l8,formed on the upper surface of the sight block transversely of the dovetailed; base or tenon, and'therefore longitudinally of the barrel, since the dovetail is fitted crosswise'thereof, as showninFig49, 'Asl the sight requires to be mounted absolutely g p v centrally of the barrelof the fire arm or lVhile my invention has in view the prowith the sight bead in the vertical plane of the axis or line ofaim, and is 'heldby fric-i tion and proportion of the dovetailed sight base, and relative position and construction tional hold at the same point whereby the sight when inserted to the same central position may be held with invariable clutching effect. Also the formation of the angular surfaces of the dovetail involve lateral thrust both upon the" dies and the work in one direction only, and is I impossible of counteraction by the ordinary devices of power presses.

My appliances for producing this class of work comprise'a two part holder in which theivork isclampetl'and the forming dies are guided and confined, and centralized in action, and the lateral strains of operation render reactionary and counter resistant. The holder comprises the two parts 1): and 15 hinged together at one side by means of the respective hinge ears 1'6 and 17, formed thereon and the hinge pin 18, upon which both parts are swung in the operation of being opened or closed. In the'opposite edge of one of the'pa'rt's l t are hinged the swivel nuts 19, in which are screwed suitable clam-ping screws 20 adapted to be swung into slots 21, in the edge of the opposite part" and their heads 22, screwed down firmly thereon to clamp the sections together in the closed'position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Centrallyin thesection 15, is a recess or seat 23, for the reception of the die-or dies for holding the work. In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown the die 2%, for seating the sight blank in the construction of the sight ridge while Figs. 2 and a show the dies 30, for holding the blank by means of the sight ridge, in the operation of shaping the dovetail. These dies are held in their seat by the screws 31 inserted through the bottom of the holder, In the interior face of the said part15 in theplane of the recess, a groove is formed extending from one edgeof the holder to the other parallel with the hingeand providing separate guideways 241 on the respective sides of the recess 23, for the reception of the respective'dies-25, in alinement with each other and the center of the recess. The inner ends of the dies have the configuration of the article to be shaped between them which-in Figs. 2 and 4 is the dovetailbf the sight, the dies in such casehaving'ends cut to'the angle of the dovetail, as shown; The opposite ends of the dies are. cut square with their length, for impact with the punch head and die' bed 26 'and 27, of a power press, or other mechanism for applying'pressure for forcing the dies together and upon the work. The dies forming the sight ridge, which in cross sectioncomprises a cylinder connected to the base bya neck, as shown in Fig. 8, will obviously be formed of'correspondingshape at the ends which engage the sight or bead but otherwise do not difl'er in ai'iya'res'pect from dies 25 shown in Fig. 2.

In the: opposite section le of the holder a cavity 28 is provided for seating an anvil or resistance block 29, centrally registering with the seat 23, and adapted to bear upon thesight blank to resist the lateral strain imposed by the die thereon. A set-screw 271 is screwed into the section of the holder back of the resistance block in engagement therewith'and by means of which the block may be forced or clamped tightly against the work. 7

A pair of screw threaded studs 32', are screwed into each end of-each of the holder sections, with their ends projectingto form adjustable stopelements which by -engagement wit-h the punch head 26 and die bed 27 of the press serve to gage the space between said parts at the limit-of the stroke of the punch, and to determine the amount of the action of the forming dies as hereinafter fully specified. Set screws 33, re provided fol-"securing these stops in position when adjusted by binding action against their sides. In the operation of this mechanism, two distinct actions are involved in conncction with the formation of the respective independentfeatures of the sight shown and described, viz., the sight bead, and dovetailed base, but which involve substantially the same" procedure.

Considering first the formation of the sight bead, the die 24: is placed in the recess 23, and the sight blank 331 is set into the groove 3%, in the die, which is'of the width to receive it loosely, as shown-in Fig.- 5, the flat side of the blank being placed in contact .with' the die with thefsightbead part projjecting above the die transversely in the plane and path of movement of the two shaping dies received and guided in the guideways'of the holder. Theends of the said forming dieswhic'li face each-other are shaped to conform to the finished shape of thesides of the sight bead, but otherwise do not 'difi'er from the representation of the forming dies-in Fig. 2,and they are-omitted from Fig; 6, which shows the blank in posi tion to-form the sight bead, but it will be understood the forming dies operate thereon as described withreference to Figs. 2and l, hereinafter specified. -The opposite half or section 1% of the holder'next being closed upon the part 15' and the two sections-locked together with the foi ining dies'received in their guideways the holder may then be placed upon the press bed as showirin Fig.' l, and the punch-head brought down upon it. It is "to be understood that the forming dies prior to the operation of shaping the part and when in contact with the work together register a greater length between their Outer ends than the length over all between the ends of the adjustable stop studs, said excess space between the ends of the forming dies representing the amount'of movement which the dies are to make to shape the work and which may be determined by the requisite adjustment of the stops, as shown in Fig. 3. The formingdies are passed over the base part of the blank from which the sight base is formed until they contact with the sight ridge, at which point they will remain at rest until pressure is brought to bear upon them to compress and mold the sight ridge into the true form of the sight bead which is that shown in Figs. 4 and 8, or its configuration after receiving the compact of the dies.

It will be observed that through the provision of suitable clearance space 36 the sight blank is not held rigidly in its seat in the (lie 24, but can readily move vertically therein under the action of the forming dies, thus floating as it may be termed, into the proper position to centralize itself between the respective dies and receive equal pressure and impact from each and form equal depths of cut on the respective sides of the block. In this action, which is of the utmost importance in the standardization of the product, the lateral strain on the work is in the direction to force the blank down upon its seat in the holding die and the resistance block is not required'to press against the blank in the shaping process, and in the production of this feature of the sight its use can be dispensed with. In other words since the tendency under the pressure of the bead-forming dies is not to force the metal of the blank toward the holding die 29, the latter need not be present during the action of the dies for forming the head.

In the operation .of forming the clovetailed base of the sight, employing the holding dies 30, between which the finished sight-bead is placed lengthwise with respect to the stroke of the forming dies as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, with a base of the blank in the line of action of the forming dies 25, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4:, it is necessary to make use of the resistance block or anvil 29 to oppose the lateral strain on the work by the angularity of the ends of the dies which in operation tend to force the blank in the direction of the'opposite part'of the holder. With the anvil in place and screwed tightly against the work the forming dies may then be forced upon the blank base to form the dovetailed impressions therein corresponding to the angular ends of the dies, as shown in Fig. 2. In this process the work is enabled to move in its seat by means of the clearance space 37 provided therefor,

and centralize itself with reference to the shaping dies and the stops of the holder to insure equal depths of the impressions in the respective sides of the dovetail, and accurate intermediate measurement between them.

The stroke of the press should be adjusted to close the unch and press bed slightly nearer together than the length over all between the ends of the stops in order to insure the full stroke of the forming dies and eradicate all possibility of lost motion in the production of a finished sight basg. as shown in Fig. 8. The anvil block as shaped to assist in the production of the dovetail. of the base is preferably formed witlra central recess 38, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, which restricts its bearing to its ends. The resisting effect of the anvil is required chiefly upon the ends of the base or those portions on the sides of the sight bead and which are of muchless thickness than the central depth of the block through the head. The tendency of the action of the dies is to draw down upon said thin portions and fracture their ends and otherwise distort the blank. The counteracting pressure should be directed to said ends and concentrated thereon and. this I effectually accomplish by relieving or forming a chamber in the central zone or field of the resistanceblock as shown so that it bears wholly upon the said thin parts of'the sight base.

By the use of the holder the lateral strain on the dies is counteracted and their action is confined to a predetermined field 'while the work is held to the plane of such action in resistance to lateral strain and centralized between the dies resulting in a finished product superior in quality to milled work and at a vastly reduced cost. The holder with its stop comprises a gage which mathematically insures the precise and invariable 'length of stroke of the dies and infinitesimal accuracy and uniformity of the proportions of the stamped parts and their standsecures the positioning of the sight bead excan be relied upon to fit perfectly upon any gun barrel which has a sight seat calculated for it, simply as the parts are furnished to the trade, and without further manipulation.

A press of ordinary construction can be used in the practice of my invention and my invention can also be practised in a specially organized machine or press.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is 1. As'an improvement in dies for die shaping, the combination of oppositely and simultaneously moving shaping dies, and a seat for the work to-be shaped situated between the opposing faces of the dies, said seat permitting movement of the work in the direction of movement of the dies.

2. As an improvement in dies for dieshaping, the combination of a work holder, two dies movable toward each other and movable toward the work in the holder, and

leans to limit the movement of the dies toward the work consistin of relatively stationary and moving surfaces that contact in the direction of the movement of the dies.

shaping, the combination of oppositely and simultaneously moving dies, a seat for the work between said dies and an anvil orsupport for a face of the work that lies in a plane parallel with the direction of movement of the dies, said seat and anvil face permitting movement of the work in the direction of movement of the dies, and a clearance space being provided in the direction in which the-work moves with the dies.

4. As an improvement in dies for dieshaping, the combination with the dies of a two-part holder having. guideways in which the dies are seated and adapted to travel, and a seat for the work or article to be shaped between the dies, means on opposite sides of the holder that engage and Copies of this patent maybe obtained for 3. As an improvement in dies for diecause movement of the" dies toward each other, stopping mechanism for limiting the movement of the dies upon the work acting upon said die-engaging means andclamping means for securing the'respective parts of the holder together.

As an improvement in Jdiesfor dicshaping, the combination" with the dies of a two-part holder having guideways in which the dies are seated and adapted 'to travel, and a seat for the'work or article to be shaped between the dies, adjustable stops carried at the ends of the die-holder for limiting the movement of the press die upon the forming dies upon the work, means upon opposite sidesof saictholde that engage said dies and cause them to move toward each other, and also engage said StO1JS ZlI1d clamping means for securing the respective parts of the holder together. V

6. As an improvement, in dies for the shaping requiring precise standardizing and centralization, the combination of a dieholder having a guideway throughout its length, forming dies fitting and adapted to slide in the guideway, a guiding seat intermediate of the ends of the holder for receiving the work, having a clearance space for permitting movement of the work in the line of the stroke of the dies, and adjusting stops carried at the ends of the holder to serve as contact abutments, respectively, "for the punch and press bed to regulate and determine the length of the stroke of the dies, whereby the work is rendered self-centering in relation to the action of the dies. 7

In testimony that I clainithe foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this twentyeighth day of July, A. D. 1914;.

DAVID GRANT. lVitnesses:

GEORGE L. BARNES, HAROLD G. BURNHAM.

fivecents each, by "addressing the Commissioner'of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

